Off camera flash and alternate flash units (speedlights) to the FL's

[theMusicMan]

Hi All

My next challenge in my love of photography is a foray into the dark and mysterious world of off-camera flash shots, in the form of dusk/night time speedlight stuff. I love some of the shots I have seen in the strobist groups on flickr, especially with portraiture.

Now I appreciate, that when using a flash off-camera that unless you're using the FL-36r/50r you are not going to have TTL metering, and as such, most of the shots (as in the case of studio flash) are manually set up i.e. the camera and each of the flash units.

As I only have the single FL-50 flash unit, does anyone here have any suggestions as to which additional flash unit I could go for. I am assuming I don't need a very expensive one and could get away with one that, as long as it fires when the remote triggering system tells it to fire (iShoot triggers probably - maybe another thread on that one

[snaarman]

Re: Off camera flash and alternate flash units (speedlights) to the FL's

Hi All

My next challenge in my love of photography is a foray into the dark and mysterious world of off-camera flash shots, in the form of dusk/night time speedlight stuff. I love some of the shots I have seen in the strobist groups on flickr, especially with portraiture.

Now I appreciate, that when using a flash off-camera that unless you're using the FL-36r/50r you are not going to have TTL metering, and as such, most of the shots (as in the case of studio flash) are manually set up i.e. the camera and each of the flash units.

As I only have the single FL-50 flash unit, does anyone here have any suggestions as to which additional flash unit I could go for. I am assuming I don't need a very expensive one and could get away with one that, as long as it fires when the remote triggering system tells it to fire (iShoot triggers probably - maybe another thread on that one

[theMusicMan]

Re: Off camera flash and alternate flash units (speedlights) to the FL's

Thanks for the info there Pete.. much appreciated.

I am also after this trigger kit...

http://www.ukhighland.com/ecom-prodshow/PT04A_3Rec.html

I assume this is the type to go for...?

[snaarman]

Re: Off camera flash and alternate flash units (speedlights) to the FL's

Thanks for the info there Pete.. much appreciated.

I am also after this trigger kit...

http://www.ukhighland.com/ecom-prodshow/PT04A_3Rec.html

I assume this is the type to go for...?

The transmitter looks identical to mine, the receivers look like fancier versions of mine.

I have no complaints about my gear, so they get my vote..

Pete

[theMusicMan]

Re: Off camera flash and alternate flash units (speedlights) to the FL's

Super, thanks again Pete.

I've ordered them, as well as a YN 460II flash unit. I may also get another of these units too, depending on the quality of the one on its way to me. Either that, or I will get a second hand FL36.

I am now making arrangements for a model and sorting a location for a type of shoot I've been wanting to do for a little while but never had (1) the kit, or (2) the bottle to ask a model if she'd be willing

[Radar]

Re: Off camera flash and alternate flash units (speedlights) to the FL's

I'm using a Fl-36 and a YN-460 II with radio triggers and umbrellas and it works fine. Easy to find what GN to use as well :

Distance from flash to subject x f-stop = GN
subject 3 meters away on f4 gives GN12 on ISO100

If you're using a shoot-through umbrella calculate for 0.7-1EV loss of light and on a reflective umbrella you've got to calculate with 0.3-0.6EV loss of light. Remember that if you use a reflective umbrella you've got to calculate the distance from the flash, into the umbrella and back again.